Barkham Road Closure Due to Burst Water Main

Wokingham's transport lead has explained why a major route into town is closed again only weeks after Finchampstead Road was finally completed.

On the evening of Wednesday June 3 the B3349 Barkham Road was closed immediately south of the level crossing, with access allowed to properties in both directions.

Cllr Adrian Betteridge said on Facebook the road in front of Wokingham Hospital was closed due to a burst water main and that work to fix it would begin today: May 4.

He said the closure, traffic controls and repairs are emergency works and the responsibility of a utility company, not the council. His team had worked with the water company to preserve access while Finchampstead Road was shut; now Finchampstead Road is re-opened, problems on Bearwood Road and Barkham Road have become more severe.

Cllr Betteridge said: “The burst main by Wokingham Hospital has caused significant damage under both the carriageway and footway.

“Work to repair and resurface the road and footway is due to commence Thu, Jun 4, with completion expected by the weekend.

“As there is no longer a viable alternative for the bus route on which many residents depend, the overnight road patching in Barkham planned for this week has been rescheduled for between June 16-20.”

Access to Wokingham from the south is still possible via Woosehill Lane, Murray Road and Oxford Road or via Molly Millar's Lane and Finchampstead Road.

One resident, Maria Eugenia Tomazini, said: “I would like to highlight here that it is an absurd they have closed an entire block in Barkham road and residents cannot access their houses.

“Both ways of Barkham road are closed and Oxford Road is closed. Those who live near the station don't have a way to get home.”

Cllr Betteridge clarified: “I have confirmed that access is allowed in both directions but not through the closure, where the road has been damaged by the water flow. I don't know why the signs and closures don't make that clear, they will need to be changed tomorrow.”

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter